Page 13 of Baby, it's Cold Outside
“No!” I stage whisper. “It sounds like my boss, but I have no idea what she could be doing here!”
“How did she get in?”
“She must have kept a key. This used to be her place, remember?”
“Hey!” Willow knocks on my bedroom door. “You in there? Get dressed, we’re going out!”
“Um, one second!” I scramble to find clothes as Michael laughs silently, shaking his head. “I’ll be right out.”
I manage to tug on underwear, my shorts and tank, and a robe that was hanging on the back of my door in about ten seconds. Putting a finger over my lips, I look at Michael, and he nods. Then I open the bedroom door just enough to slide out, pulling it shut right behind me.
Willow is standing in my living room, hands on her hips. “That’s not what I had in mind for a festive holiday party outfit,” she says. “Can you put something else on? And maybe brush your hair?”
I pat my bedhead hair and tighten the robe around me. “What festive holiday party?”
“It’s a Christmas party hosted by Laura Thompson from Reid’s office, and it’s always super fun. Plus, there’s someone there who wants to meet you.”
“Who?”
“A guy.” Willow’s expression is sly. “Laura Thompson’s little brother. She showed me his photo last year and he’s hot as hell. I know he’d be perfect for you. I don’t need to remind you that I’m a spectacular matchmaker, do I?”
“No, but—”
“Then hurry up, we’re already late. Reid’s waiting for us in the lobby.”
The last thing I want to do is leave my apartment to go meet someone’s little brother at a Christmas party. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not feeling well.”
“You’re feeling fine, you’re just depressed. Although nicely done on the Christmas tree.” Willow gestures toward the spruce in the corner. “That’s a step in the right direction.”
“I’m not depressed, I swear. And you have to go now.” Taking her by the shoulders, I spin her around and walk her toward the door. “Bye. Say hi to Reid. Have fun at the party.”
Willow sighs as she steps into the hallway. “Fine. But if that super hot guy is there and asks about you, you’ll be sorry you spent the entire night holed up in this apartment.”
“Maybe.”
“You can’t just retreat, Harlow. You have to go after love if you want to find it. You’re not just going to look up and find it standing there.”
It almost makes me burst out laughing. Maybe I hadn’t found love tonight standing there in the lobby, but I had found a damn good time. “Night, Willow. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Drive carefully in this weather, okay?”
Before she can try to drag me out again, I shut the door in her face, put the chain on, and rush back into my bedroom.
I close the door, toss my robe aside and lean back against the wood. It feels extra cool because I’m still burning up from that orgasm.“Hi.”
Michael smiles. “Hi. Everything okay?”
“Yeah, my boss was just…it doesn’t matter.”
“Come here,” Michael says crooking his finger at me.
Six
MICHAEL
While Harlow stepped out to deal with whomever it was that stopped by, I lay there trying to make sense of what the hell is happening.
How did this girl, whom I just met, manage to get me to break all of my rules? I never fuck on the first date. And I usually spend a good amount of time making sure I don’t end up with a stage-five clinger.
Still, I can’t seem to help myself.
